Mahathir vows to review Malay ‘ fake news’ law
■ Legislation was passed hurriedly before elections
Kuala Lumpur, May 13: New Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Sunday to review a controversial law against “fake news” hurriedly passed before the elections and seen as aimed at critics of his scandal- tainted predecessor.
The law, passed in early April, makes the deliberate spread of false information punishable by up to six years in jail and a hefty fine.
It has sparked outrage from rights groups, who believe the law could be
◗ The law, passed in early April, makes the deliberate spread of false information punishable by up to six years in jail and a hefty fine
used to crack down on dissent, especially criticism of then- prime minister Najib Razak ahead of the May 9 vote.
Najib's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which ruled Malaysia uninterrupted for 61 years since independence, was routed at the polls by a Mahathirled Opposition alliance.
Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years as prime minister before stepping down in 2003 and came back from retirement to take on Najib, said the law would be reviewed to give a clearer definition of fake news. “The fake news law will be given a definition that is clear,” he said in a special address on national television. “People and news companies will understand what is fake news and what is not fake.”
Mahathir himself was criticised for clamping down on the media during his earlier term as Premier. But he said in his speech that his government would not restrict the press even if they came up with news the government found uncomfortable.